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Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Pantyhose vs. Bare legs: the debate goes on

Ok. I guess this isn’t the most inspiring photo to launch this discussion. Maybe I should have picked this one:

dustjacketattic

Now do you feel better about the idea of wearing pantyhose stockings?

Sigh. When I first raised the issue of nylons vs. bare legs for a special occasion, it was doing the chilly months of winter. And I was seriously interested. Did anyone else besides me feel a tad awkward about going out into weather cold enough to require my thick-thermal coat, yet leaving my own legs naked and shivering and-I-might-add, never looking more pale and unsexy?

Well the results to my post have been astonishing. That one little post continues to bring in hits from all over the world, and remains one of my most popular posts ever. Just yesterday, I had a visitor from Rome, Italy. Several from France. And one from Switzerland. And here we are, already into the warm weather month of May.

Is Kate Middleton changing your view of nude-colored pantyhose?

This past month, these are some of the most common Google searches that landed folks on my blog:

bare legs in winter?

kate middleton in nylons

ice cold legs in winter

bare legged in winter

Jennifer Aniston’s legs

Pippa Middleton’s legs

ladies how do bare legs make you feel

are nylons in fashion

Apparently, women are still interested in this topic. So today, I thought I’d do a follow-up post and share some of the feedback that I received through my emails. Believe me, this is nothing resembling a credible poll and I know very little about my respondents however, there were enough comments to form some consensus. And interestingly, the comments seemed to reflect some of the same statistics I’ve read on this subject.

What most women are thinking: Women who consider themselves fashionable and current about trends are not wearing nude colored nylons for evenings out. Black pantyhose are one exception. Women who would not wear nude colored nylons would still consider wearing black ones. This seems to support the trend reported in Forbes which stated that the sales of sheer nylons in the $6.98 billion legwear business dropped 4.4% last year.

The cast of Mad Men where pantyhose are totally “in.”

However, the legwear industry is working hard to make pantyhose cool again.

Do you remember L’eggs? It’s the ubiquitous brand that everyone associates with women’s hosiery and they have now launched a 2012 marketing campaign aimed at the 18-34 year old crowd. They are calling it the “Lucky in L’eggs” campaign and they’ve begun running their first television ads in more than 14 years. In addition, they’re aggressively pursuing this new generation of shoppers through the L’eggs Facebook page and Twitter feed. Considering that today’s 18-year-old was just four or five years old during their L’eggs last TV campaign, it’s a necessary marketing strategy

Is it working? Are pantyhose making a comeback? Sally Kay, president of the Hosiery Association believes so, thanks to such pop culture influences like Mad Men. And they hope that the television ads now airing on national cable networks such as E!, Nick at Nite, Oxygen, SoapNet, and TV One, will help modernize the image of pantyhose for all ages.

fabsugar

Marketers are hoping that young shoppers will experiment with colored sheers. Doesn’t Jen look great in anything?

Age: Age does seem to matter in terms of opinions and behavior. Younger women in general have absolutely no qualms about having bare legs in winter and at special events. (I personally noted this on a snowy December evening in Utah when we flew to my husband’s Christmas party. Not one woman under the age of thirty wore pantyhose, despite the icy conditions and the winter-white legs. This California gal was shocked --and cold-- but it was a clear message about fashion).

Some of my older readers simply felt uncomfortable with bare legs and heels, especially at special events. Going with bare legs to a dressy affair seemed too casual and somehow, wrong.

And self perception matters. If a woman believed her legs looked good, she was more willing to shun nylons, regardless of her age. However, the women who felt self-conscious going without stockings, often made observations about other women, especially those women in their fifties who went with bare legs. One email asked, “don’t they know what their legs look like without stockings?”

What men like: Sorry I only got a few male responses. And these two comments reflected other anecdotal comments I’ve read and heard from men. Men think sheer stockings are sexy. What about your husband, do you know what he thinks?

I wonder. Will astute marketers be able to create a new image for pantyhose that entices our daughters?

It remains to be seen, but look what happened to the old girdle. Today, Sara Blakeley’s Spanx have reached sales upward of $5 million each year. (Forbes,November 2011) And this is one accessory that I don’t hear women complain about, what about you?

And what about those women who work in conventional offices, where going with bare legs is simply not viewed as professional? What are they wearing and how are they feeling?

Although this is a couple months old I thought I'd take a moment to post a differing man's opinion. I'm in my mid-fifties now & I've never liked pantyhose of any kind (nor even stockings, really). A woman wearing hose might as well be wearing jeans as far as I'm concerned (this isn't to say that there aren't a few outfits that do seem to cry out for hose or tights).

I don't think bare legs are any stranger, or more incomplete than bare arms, shoulders or back. Nor do a woman's legs have to match some fantasy notion of "perfect" in order to be attractive. Skin is sexy.

Even in business, a skirt suit worn with bare legs seems no stranger than a woman wearing a short sleeve blouse under her jacket. While it's true that grandma wouldn't feel dressed leaving the house without hose on, she would also not feel right without her girdle--are these coming back as well?

Some now decree that hose is coming back in & manufacturers of same are all over that like a ... like a cheap pair of pantyhose. Then there are the hose fiends who insist that "all men" believe that hose is sexier.

Really, pantyhose, who needs 'em???

Sure, some women will feel better (or warmer:-) covering their legs when wearing skirts or dresses, but hose as a fashion default again?

Well I haven't worn panty hose in 13 years. I am 58 (did I really admit that?!?)But...my daughter got married this last June and I had to do something. Sooooo, I bought thigh highs with lace tops. Sexy, huh? They are so much easier when you have to use the Ladies room, and I didn't have any problem with the grip on the lace.So now if I have to ever wear hose again, that is my direction I'm going....thigh highs. (Target has them)Paula

Male here: this bare leg thing is such a turn-off, I find that I don't like daytime TV anymore because there are entire panels of female reporters or speakers with bare legs and open-toed shoes regardless of the season. I think it's ridiculous and over done. Hosiery enhances the look of THE best legs. It does! Would you see any of these women on TV w/o make up on their faces? So why are unadorned legs 24/7 suddenly so "Today" and "fashion forward"?

As for my opinion on this subject, I think bare legs cheapen an outfit. It's perfectly fine to wear bare legs with casual clothes, but to put on classy dress/suit, then go out with bare legs just looks cheap. I think the addition of hose completes the look. And to do it in the dead of winter looks just plain stupid.

As a man, I can tell you that women who wear nylons (of ANY kind - thigh highs, pantyhose, tights, what have you) get more compliments than women with bare legs.

It just seems more polished and elegant. When my wife and I dress up to go out on a date-night, she a,most always wear nylons and I wear a tie. It adds to the overall sexy atmosphere of the night since we are both willing to go that extra step to look good for each other.

Incidentally, my wife wears thigh highs - she says they are easier to use when going to the bathroom, they are not constricting, and they don't make her sweat in what she calls "a gross place".

I don't have an issue with any of that when I wear a tie, but I can say they choke me and are extremely uncomfortable, but I have noticed that it also gets me more comments than just wearing a button-up shirt.

I think bare legs can also cheapen an outfit. I'm 24 and I feel its inappropriate to go to an office setting in the dead of winter with bare legs. At least wear nude or black pantyhose. Even now, when it's April and going to be 60 degrees outside, I feel awkward going to work with bare legs. I think it's completely fine in the spring and summer, but it just looks awful in the colder months.

A few weeks ago, when it was 30 degrees outside, a ~45 year old woman was wearing a skirt up to her mid-thigh with bare legs to work (a business casual setting), and I was shocked. Never mind the length of the skirt, at least put some nylons on!!

Are you kidding me pantyhose are the most uncomfortable things you can wear.They don't stay on they sag in order for them to stay in place I would have to put tight underwear after I put on the pantyhose. In the winter I wear tight with knee high boots they keep you warm.

I googled this topic because the other day when I was in the department store looking at Calvin Klein dresses for work...you know I just didn't know what to do or think about bare legs. But I'm a mature woman who grew up during the Kennedy & Vietnam Era and just thought...man it would be wrong, especially at my age, to dress up and then have bare legs...white naked show everything legs...ugg! Plus you want something between you and the inside of your shoes..it hurts to wear heals without something on your feet. I purchased a pair of stockings with the gummy strip around the thigh...so we'll see. Personally, I think bare legs should be reserved for toned young ladies in summer dresses!

I guess it depends on where you live, in ca. haven't seen anyone wear panty hose in years, would seem strange, they are hot and silly...no matter what age nylons, panty hose or stockings are out...never to return ...yay

I know women complain about the fit and feel but they look immeasurably better than bare legs. Plus they're so sexy! Women - I don't care how nice your legs are, they look better sheathed in nylon. When women go to work with a nice blouse, nice skirt, expensive shoes, and bare legs, they look like they forgot to finish getting dressed. Same goes for dates. If you went out with a guy who wore khakis and a polo as opposed to slacks, nice shoes, cool shirt, and a jacket which would YOU want to call you back and which would you be more likely to date again? Don't believe me ladies - try this. Pick a bar you don't normally go to and find a friend to go with. Go every day for a week dressed nicely (skirt is imperative here for the experiment - or short dress - point is, show off your legs) but don't wear pantyhose. Go to the same bar, same outfits, different nights if same outfit on same night bothers you the next week or two weeks later, but this time both of you wear pantyhose. See which week you get more attention. I 100% guarantee it'll be the pantyhose week. If not...I'll eat a bug. Or...simply ask your boyfriend/husband if he think pantyhose are sexy and would rather you wear them when you dress up to go out. Men do not prefer bare legs unless you're at the beach; or in shorts during the summer. If you're dressed up, they're a must. Guys with ties look nicer; guys with jackets look nicer; guys with socks look nicer; guys with nice shoes look nicer: women with pantyhose look nicer.

Bare legs simply don't look as good, except casual looks. It seems to be a cultural war for some reason. I wear hose, and actually seek out stockings when I can, and they are never itchy, and rarely hot. I find it funny how some people will say hose are scratchy but tights are ok. Huh? Same thing, different denier. Makes no sense. Simply put, in a dressy event, bare legs never look as good as a lovely stockinged leg. We wear makeup, paint our nails, adorn ourselves everywhere, then leave our legs bare. I am a love of dressing as a lady. A forgotten art I am afraid. Do what you want, but don't fool yourself into thinking bare legs in a LBD looks as good as hose. Nope.

As an old man of 76 I will run the risk of being labelled "an old pervert". But the fact is that very few women indeed can get away with bare legs. Frankly there is nothing more off-putting to a man than white legs with knobbly knees, protuberant ankle bones and stark achilles tendons. It looks just plain dreadful!! I remember being acutely disappointed when my late wife when only 21 years old swapped sexy sheer seamed stockings (with garter belt) for coarse knit (rough to the touch) pantihose. Jackie, (Bless her!) had the sort of legs that every man dreams about. But after that I found myself losing interest in my young wife. This was, of course, fifty years ago. Expressing it as delicately as I can, whenever my wife wanted another child (she demanded four and got them), out would come the seamed stockings and garter belt. As soon as she was pregnant, they hit the bin again. So every dog has his day (Just briefly) and my "days" are sadly long gone!

No contest. I love the no hose look. If a woman coms into a store or a house in colder weather with a short skirt and no hose and heels, she'll get noticed 100% of the time and guys love it. I know I do. Just a great turn on. LOVE the NO HOSE and heels look. My vote is in.

I have loved seeing women with NO hose for the last 30 years. I won't lie. I think it's sexy, even naughty, gorgeous, attractive and just wonderful to look at and enjoy. My perfect outfit is a shorter skirt with no hose and high heels, preferably black. Drives me crazy. It's at a point now where I can't tell if women have hose on in the winter but I prefer that even if they only go hoseless indoors. Nothing looks sexier than legs with no hose. Regardless of tan or white. Even white legs look naughty and interesting. Just my view.

Give me a woman in a shorter skirt with no hose and black high heels with open toes and strap back heel and I'm in heaven. Pretty, sexy, naughty, gorgeous, erotic and downright inviting. LOVE the NO HOSE look.

Ladies, stockings or hose almost always make your legs look sexier. Sure, if you're young, reasonably attractive, and have a decent tan, you can get away without wearing them. But frankly, the % of these women are far less than the ones actually doing it. I see plenty of godawful looking legs out there. I blame the media and these so-called fashion moguls for perpetuating this, they're teaching these young girls/women that they are some kind of grandma if they wear hose. And it just isn't true. There are plenty of ways to wear hose stylishly and still match it up with your skin tone, and look good. Thank goodness for Kate Middleton, she has been like a model for how to wear pantyhose. But she needs to not be the only one, other women should take a cue from this, too. Jennifer Aniston used to (and still does, sometimes) wear them very well. Granted, in late spring and summer, nobody really expects you to wear pantyhose. I get it. But during the other months of the yr, they go a long way to making you look a lot classier/sexier, if you wear them right. And men like that.

I agree that stocking/pantyhose looks nic and hot and sexy, I'm a 41 male and grew up in the world of nylons. And I think that "no nylon" is a big no for me. They don't look nice, hot not sexy. And I think Kate and Jan look hot in nylons, the fashion plp don't have the same think as us reg people, no nylons don't look good. But then they come out with spanx, and now everyone is wearing spanx, now that is not a good site, way wrong plp wear them and and jus don't make since, the site I seen "spanx are not pants" needs to really put out there, are young folks shouldn't wear in public.

As a middle aged male I firmly believe pantyhose not only make a woman's legs look fitter, more flawless, and I sexy. I also believe it makes their outfit look complete and polished, classy. On new years eve 90% of the young women out had pale, bare legs. So unappealing. Blotchy red spots from crossing their legs. I know that not all men agree, but I think a small majority think like me. And any woman who complains about "sag" or poor fit, or how uncomfortable they are is probably buying very cheap hose because they don't like them in the first place. My girlfriend likes dkny, they are a little costlier than your grocery store brands, but they also look 200% better and she says they are super comfortable. She loves to wear them. They are another way she gets to accessorize her outfits and she likes the extra attention she gets.

I do not wear hosiery ever I'm 28 from California I'm pretty pale skinned but I don't mind that I don't think bare legs look cheap and it's definitely not a health concern lol my husband could care less if I did or didn't also. Its a matter of personal taste so to say if you don't that it's stupid or cheap is just rude period. My legs look good and I'm going to show them. Plus I don't like the feeling of nylons and in my opinion it reminds me of old people.

I am so glad to find this discussion! I am 61 and I do feel that I need to wear pantyhose in the winter and on special occasions. My son was married last year and there is no way I would have attended without stockings. I say this as someone who also is very fair and I do have some age spots on my legs so that is also a factor. If a woman has legs with some color or is very good with bronzer she can probably get away with it. I just think using self tanner on my legs is more than I want to do. I am glad to see Kate Middleton wearing stockings! Woohoo! I'm not a fuddy-duddy yet.

My wife switched to quality sheer stockings (and comfortable garter belt) from restrictive pantyhose years ago when she discovered the convenience aspect when using the ladies room (no tugging and yanking to remove pantyhose since underwear is worn OVER the garter belt and hose). She says they are much cooler and it is actually LIBERATING! Also, when she is at an event and has a run on one leg, she simply removes ONE STOCKING and replaces it with a spare from her purse (or my pocket)! Smart! No more throwing away a stupid pair of pantyhose just because there is a run in only one leg. In other words, 2 pair of real stockings gives her 3 pair since she replaces one leg at a time.